A cat in Dundee has been left scarred after what is believed to have been a deliberate attack with boiling water.
Owner, Louise Mills was shocked to see two-year-old Elsa come into the house with a wound on her back and took her to the PDSA vet clinic, where it was discovered her injury was worse than previously thought.
Louise, who lives in Gourdie Crescent, was told that the cat was probably subjected to a deliberate scalding with hot water.
The 27-year-old said she had no idea who could be behind the attack or why they would do such a “horrible” thing.
She explained: “I was in the kitchen getting ready for work on Sunday when Elsa came in.
“She often spends the whole day outside and has always been fine, but this time I noticed a wound on her back.
“She was also mewing a lot so I knew something wasn’t right and took her to the vet.
“At first they thought she might have been under a car that drove off and been injured that way, but when they shaved her fur more of the wound was revealed.
“They said it looked more like she had boiling water or other liquid poured over her.
“She was given painkillers and a neck collar to stop her licking the wound.”
Elsa is now recovering at home, but is said to have become more timid and is not allowed outside for the time-being.
Louise added: “She used to be really sociable but now she just hides in the bedroom.
“I can’t let her out until she recovers but at some point I’ll have to as it’s difficult to keep a cat inside.
“I just don’t know why someone would do something so horrible and I have no idea who it could be – I feel angry and shocked.
“We’ve never had any trouble like this in the area before.”
Louise said she plans to report the incident to police.